Therapeutic Recreation

Recreation therapy is in demand. According to the National Bureau for Labor Statistics, employment for recreation therapists is expected to grow faster than average due to an increase in our elderly population and an expansion of federally funded services for persons with disabilities. (Bureau of Labor Statistics) In the Therapeutic Recreation concentration, students acquire the skills necessary to help improve the quality of life for people with disabilities by using recreation services and leisure experiences. Upon completion of this program, students are prepared to take the National Certification in Therapeutic Recreation to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). For more information regarding certification requirements, see the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification. 

Students graduating from the Therapeutic Recreation program might find careers such settings as:

Course Requirements

In addition to the department's core courses, students will take the following concentration-specific courses:

Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation - 3 credits
Programming in Therapeutic Recreation - 3 credits
Intervention & Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation - 3 credits
Current Practices in Therapeutic Recreation - 3 credits
Administration and Design of Therapeutic Recreation Services -3 credits
Internship in Therapeutic Recreation - 6 credits

Internship

One of the key academic and professional development experiences our students receive is field experience through internships. There are generally two internships required of the undergraduate student. One internship follows the junior year, after successful completion of prerequisite upper division courses, which prepares students for programming in a variety of settings. This 300-level internship is customarily a summer experience, entailing an 8-week, 320-hour exposure in an approved setting under both agency professional and university faculty supervision. This internship is followed by additional upper division coursework in preparation for the 400-level internship the following summer, entailing a 12-week, 480-hour experience with emphasis on supervision, administrative and management duties. Agency and university supervision is provided. For a more detailed explanation of the internship requirements, please read our handout.
The two internships combined earn the student 9 credit hours toward the degree and enhance preparedness for professional employment. Along with the portfolio, internships fill out the student's profile as a prepared and well-rounded individual ready for the challenges of the profession.The internship process is an important part of the student's education and preparation for their future careers. In the past, students have successfully completed internships at the following:

Community Residence Inc. (CRI)
Department of Children & Families (DCF)
Connecticut Juvenile Training School                                           
Bridgeport Hospital
DMHAS Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center (SWCMHS)     
Jewish Home for the Elderly
Hall-Brooke Behavior Health Services
Haven Healthcare Center of Cromwell
Hospital for Special Care
Institute of Living / Hartford Hospital                                                          
Living Independently
Riverview Hospital for Children (DCF)
Salmon Brook Center
SARAH. Inc.                                                                                           
Seminole Manor Nursing Home/Donalsonville Hospital, FL
Sister Anne Virginie Grimes Health Center
Yale New Haven Hospital - Child Psychiatric Services
Kennedy Center, Inc.
Bay Pines VA Healthcare Center, FL
Gaylord Rehabilitation Hospital

Advisory Committee for the Therapeutic Recreation Program

Jim Shea, CTRS, Supervisor of Recreation Therapy, Albin Center for Rehabilitation, Bridgeport Hospital
Steve Fredette, CTRS, Supervisor of Recreation Therapy, Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital
Barbara Yard, Supervisor, Connecticut Department of Public Health
Mary Jo Archambault, CTRS, Recreation Therapist, Hospital for Special Care
Angie Field, CTRS, Therapeutic Recreation Director, St. Anne Grimes Health Center, St. Raphael's Hospital
Karen Lamy, CTRS, Supervisor of Recreation Therapy, Yale-New Haven Child Psychiatric Hospital

faculty for the therapeutic recreation program 

Dr. James MacGregor
Ed.D. University of Hartford; M.S. Southern Connecticut State University
Former Coordinator and Chief Recreation Therapist, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, Rehabilitation Center of Fairfield County
macgregorj1@southernct.edu

Ms. Mary Jo Archambault, CTRS
M.S. Southern Connecticut State University
Recreation Therapist, Hospital for Special Care in New Britain, CT
archambaulm2@southernct.edu

Mr. Jim Shea, CTRS
M.S. University of North Carolina
Recreation Therapy Supervisor, Ahlbin Rehabilitation Centers at Bridgeport Hospital
sheaj1@southernct.edu

Mr. Stephen Fredette, CTRS
M. Ed. University of Connecticut
Supervisor of Recreation Therapy, Institute of Living at Hartford Hospital
fredettes1@southernct.edu

Ms. Jennifer Carroll-Fischer, CTRS
M.S. Southern Connecticut State University
Rehabilitation Specialist - State of Connecticut Department of DCF (retired)
carrollj1@southernct.edu

Ms. Janet Connolly, CTRS
M.S. SUNY-Cortland
Sports & Community Program Manager
connollyj5@southernct.edu 

For more information, please contact the advisor for the Therapeutic Recreation program:
Dr. James MacGregor
(203) 392-6385
Macgregorj1@southernct.edu